What do you think of your name? Like it? Do you prefer a nickname or do you prefer when people call you by your full name? Why do you think people have these preferences? That’s what we’re looking at in this episode – research showing that other people (and yourself) might be shaping you to actually look like and act … Read More
Ep 290: Class Demonstrations That Always Work
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a typical psychology class, well, here ar e 4 class activities I do almost every semester that are my “sure fire hits” – they engage the students in the learning process while helping them really grasp what a key term in psychology means. So you’ll learn about how students memorize each other’s … Read More
Ep 289: Games and Videos as Therapeutic Tools: Dr. Anna Vagin (part 2)
In part 2 of my interview with Dr. Anna Vagin, she talks about some of the videos she uses to help kids and teens better understand the emotions and challenges of characters in the videos and how those characters dealt with their difficult situations. The videos are a launching point for discussion and insight into the clients’ own lives. Links … Read More
Ep 288: Using TableTop Games and Videos in Therapy: Interview with Anna Vagin
In part 1 of my interview with Anna Vagin, Ph.D. we talk about how she uses games and videos as part of her work with children and adolescents. I think you’ll be surprised how Dr. Vagin uses short videos she finds on YouTube in her sessions. These are not games or videos that were designed to be used in this … Read More
Ep 287: What to do About Fake News? Apply a Little Psychology – Part 2
In part 2 of my interview with Gleb Tsipusky we talk more about why so many of us (including me) fall for fake news stories and why such stories can spread so rapidly. We also talk about what he’s doing to address the problem: the Pro Truth Pledge. Find out more about how he’s applying some psychology to solve a … Read More
He Taught a Pigeon to Peck a Ping Pong Ball. What Happened Next Will Shock You.
Scientists discovered a way to get the lowly pigeon to play ping-pong. Psychologist Burrhus Skinner (called “B.F.” by his BFF’s) says the remarkable feat was accomplished in just 3 steps: He rewarded the pigeons when they were near the ball rewarded them when they pecked the ball rewarded them when they pecked the ball to the other side of the … Read More
Psychologists React to Robin Williams’ Death
Shock and Sadness How has the mental health community reacted to Robin Williams’ suicide? I’ve been reflecting on my own reaction as well as reading blog posts and news articles from other mental health professionals. Here’s my take on what we’re thinking. Like everyone else, mental health professionals found themselves saddened and speechless at Williams’ loss. He was so unique … Read More
Psychology Tip to Help You Get More Tips
Do you have a tip jar at work? Here’s one way to use a little psychology to increase the likelihood that customers will put a little money in there: Set out not one but two tip jars Label the jars with two competing themes Okay, so what do I mean by “competing themes”? What you want to do is to … Read More
Ep 200: Reflections on the 200th Show!
Thank you so much for listening to The Psych Files for the past 6 1/2 years. In this episode I provide a little background on how the podcast started and what has happened as it grew over the years. It just past 8 million downloads and I want to share a few thoughts on this with you. Thank you everybody! … Read More
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